One of the neighbors dogs liked our place so much she decided to have her pups here in our shed. 4 cute little things. Unfortunatly, she has disappeared. Been gone about 5 days now. The pups are about 2-3 weeks old. My son has been bottle feeding them (another story of it's own!)

We had a couple a cans of baby formula and have used them up. That formula is expensive. Anyone know of a good alternative to Moms milk for the puppies?

I mixed up some powdered milk, w/ canned, evaporated milk and a touch of sweetened condensed milk and water today. They took it ok. They've had some loose stools, but I have no idea what a regular puppy stool is supposed to look like. They are all fat and active so far.

They are messy as heck! I told Dog Boy, my Son, he should clean 'em up like their Mom would. He said he didn't like 'em that much.

-- John in S. IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), March 05, 2001

Answers

Our local feed store carries powdered puppy formula. As I recall it was a little pricey. It seems to me like we ended up using lamb's milk replacer when we were in a fix with puppies.(?) You might ask your feed store for advice. mary

-- mary, texas (marylgarcia@aol.com), March 05, 2001.

Whole goats milk is wonderful for puppies. If you don't have a goat check your local 4H or FFA. I have fed scads of puupies on the stuff, and they thrive on it.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little bit Farm (littlebit@calinet.com), March 05, 2001.

1oz. cream (30%butterfat) 1oz.nestles pelargon 6oz. water or 6oz.evaporated milk 3oz. water half tbs. corn syrup or 2oz.lactogen 2oz. cream 4oz.water serve warm all can be refrigerated

-- (abcbirds@yahoo.com), March 05, 2001.

Years ago when I was little, a vet gave us a formula to use with baby wild rabbits. I've since used it for a colostrum extender (after a feeding of the real thing) and to feed other species of animals. Add a whole egg and a tablespoon of honey or white corn syrup to a pint of whole milk, cow's milk is okay but goat's milk is better. If you have a blender, use that as it incorporates the egg more completely. If you have it, add 1/4 t cod liver oil or infant vitamins. I don't remember any of the portions we used for puppies but we did feed it at body temperature and switched them to a pan with softened puppy food as quickly as possible.

Your son is aware that the pups' behinds do need to be washed to stimulate elimination but I think a soft moistened cloth would suffice. This foster mothering bit can only be taken so far, right?

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), March 05, 2001.

Oatmeal is what I start my pups on, with either powered milk or goats milk. Make it a little runny, they will start eating at 3 weeks, real messy but they love it and it is good for them. If their stool gets to runny, cottage chesse will stop it.

You need to worm them now. Get the Lassie type at Wallmart, the liquid, make sure it treats hookworms or it is no good for nothing. On the box says worm at 2,3,4,6 and 8 weeks. I use a little syringe, and just squirt it in their mouths slowly, it is butterscotch flavor. Pups usually are 2 pounds at 2 weeks, 3 pounds at 3 weeks, etc. Lassie type wormer is 2cc for 2 lbs, Happy Jack wormer is 1cc for 2 lbs. The Lassie type is only 5.00 and it treats 60 lbs. The Happy Jack is cheaper in the long run, but it is harder to find.

I soak dog food in hot water in an ice cream bucket with the lid on. Gets it nice and soft. They will eat soft food allot earlier than you think they would. Have fun with the pups!

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@hotmail.com), March 06, 2001.

Cow milk will give them the runs .Mix some cottage cheese warm water and puppy food to make a gruel .They should be old enough at 3 weeks to start taking this .You could also used canned food or rice with hambugar or chicken .Make sure it is mush ! You may have to feed them off your finger at first to get them started .If you have access to goat milk that will be the best .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), March 06, 2001.

Went to the feed store and picked up a small packet of replacer. Dog Boy is in the kitchen feeding his "pack" now. Sounds like they like it. Not like they have much of a choice. We'll start working in the soft food as the week goes on & I'll let you all know how it goes.

Thanks for your time and answers. John

-- John in S. IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), March 06, 2001.

One way to wean them off of the replacer (goat's milk is excellent as well) is to buy some puppy chow and put it in the blender so it is fine powder and mix it with the replacer so it is a soupy gruel. Let them lap it up. Gradually you make it less soupy until they are eating the puppy chow which is just moistened with the milk or water. Good luck.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), March 07, 2001.